Tips for Photographers: How to make your studio space welcoming and comfortable for your clients

Recently a new mom was in the studio for her newborn session. She was sitting on the couch nursing her two-week old daughter, and her toddler was playing with toys in the corner while her husband hung out and helped hand her a few things from the diaper bag. We were in between setups and we had just finished the family portraits, and she looked around and said:

“Your studio is just so welcoming and cozy!
I feel so comfortable here. You’ve really thought of everything!”

In that moment I was so happy to receive that compliment, and I told her how much those kind words meant to me. You see, I had only moved into my new studio less than 3 months before her session. We had installed new floors, painted the walls, assembled furniture, hung artwork, and organized all of the things. I had worked my butt off to create a space that was calming, welcoming, and versatile while maximizing every inch of space.

It is really important to me that my studio is a space where new parents feel like they can relax. So much about those first few weeks (months, or even the first couple of years!) is a swirling sea of unknowns. But when they step into my studio I want them to feel like they can take a deep breath and let the space soothe them, allowing them to enjoy our session together and enjoy watching their baby at their first portrait session.

So, how do you replicate that in your studio?

What are the things you can keep in mind to create a space that is just as welcoming and cozy?

First, get into the mind of a mom. Whether you are a mom or you’re not a mom, surely you know other moms and you can ask them what would make their lives a little easier. This will vary for every stage of parents that you have in your studio, and newborn parents will need different things than first birthday parents, who will need different things from toddler parents and school-age parents. But start to think what would make them feel more relaxed and at ease when they come to your studio.

Let’s start with right when they walk in the door.

A designated place to hang their coat, leave the baby carrier, and drop their diaper bag and shoes.

A comfy couch to rest on, ideally in a spill-proof and wipeable fabric so they don’t have to worry about their little one making a mess on it.

I write their little one’s name on a chalkboard sign by the entrance, and it makes them smile knowing that I personalized it just for their baby! Right away they feel welcomed and special.

Then show them around and let them settle in. Thoughtful little touches make a BIG difference!

Show them where the snacks are. Speaking of snacks, if you don’t have snacks for families this is an easy place to start! I have a little three-tier cart filled with kid-friendly snacks like goldfish, raisins, and chocolate chip cookies. My studio is peanut-free and tree nut free, and I make sure all of our snacks are, too. I also have water bottles and juice boxes on the cart, and paper towels, baby wipes, and tissues, too.

Coffee & tea! I have a little Keurig machine in the studio with cute little mugs and coffee pods. I make sure to plug it in and warm up the water ahead of time, and I always make sure parents know they can help themselves to some coffee.

A bathroom. Show them where it is, and make sure it’s well-stocked before they arrive.

Do you have a place for them to get changed? What about hooks up high to hang long dresses so they don’t reach the floor? I’ve turned a corner into a changing nook by hanging curtains on a track from the ceiling, If you want to maximize your little studio space, this would be perfect for you! Be sure to put a full-length mirror in there, too, and open the curtains when it’s not in use to make the space appear bigger.

Is mom nursing? Have a Boppy pillow handy to offer her. Bottle feeding? Keeping a bottle warmer in the studio is a great idea! When she’s feeding the baby, try and read the vibe she’s giving off, and if it seems like she might want a little privacy then make an excuse to sneak out for a few minutes to give her some quiet moments with her little one. This is especially important for nursing moms, and some brand new first-time moms can be a little anxious about feeding the baby in public and getting everything in just the right position, and this might be her first time nursing the baby outside of the comfort of her home where she can be walking around without a shirt all day. Other moms don’t care whatsoever and are completely comfortable around anyone else in the room, it just varies from mom to mom! So just read the vibe and give her space if you think she might appreciate it.

Big brother or sister? You want to have ways to keep them entertained. I ask about their interests ahead of time and I try to keep toys in the play corner that will occupy them. I have board books, blocks, little horses in a stable, cars, trains, and some manipulative activities and puzzles to keep them busy. I bring in new toys from my son’s toy stash based on their interests. One little tip: avoid crayons or markers, especially if you don’t want to have to worry about their drawings accidentally ending up on the walls!

Display samples of all of the products you offer, showcasing different types of sessions and portraits. Let them see your newborns, cake smashes, outdoor family portraits, and more! This gives them inspiration for upcoming sessions, and they’ll know without even asking what types of portraits you offer!

Get them involved and let them select a few items for their session! Have your wraps, headbands, and little outfits displayed in a way that clients can look through them and choose a few favorites. This helps them be more invested in the session and more excited about creating personalized portraits!

Create an overall feeling of warmth and space.

Even if you have a small studio space, there are still ways you can create a welcoming atmosphere for your clients. I use a cohesive color palette throughout to make everything flow together seamlessly. Those colors fit my brand, so for me it’s all white, cream, muted gold/champagne, and natural unfinished wood. This helps the space feel airy, even though it’s in a basement with low ceilings.

Wipe everything down with a lightly-scented sanitizing wipe before the session, but make sure there is not an overpowering smell in the studio when they arrive. You want it to be clean and fresh, but not so much that it’s all they remember about their session. You don’t want them going home complaining about the photographer’s studio that stinks like too much lemon lysol. ;o)

Create space. Try not to have anything crowded around the seating area/couch so that families have space for their bags, toys, clothes, and room to move around. You don’t want them to feel like they are tripping over everything when they stand up to get a snack.

Turn on all the lights when you can so that it’s not dark, and make sure to keep the temperature comfortable! Keep a space heater in there, and also fans or AC for the warmer months.

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Did you notice that I haven’t said a thing about props? Having a studio isn’t all about having, storing, and displaying your prop collection. A studio is a space where you can welcome your clients. It is a space they come to for their portrait session, and while yes, props are important, they are not the ONLY thing to think about when you are setting up your studio.

You want to be the photographer who keeps the client’s comfort and needs in mind first.

Make sure you are welcoming them into your studio, helping them feel comfortable, and doing everything possible to give them an extraordinary experience. Then those will be the clients who can’t stop raving about how wonderful you are, who are eager to come back for another session, and who tell all their friends about you.

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Download our freebie checklist!

Now it’s time to refresh your studio space! Download this checklist to help you create a client-focused studio that is just as welcoming & cozy!

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Are checklists totally your thing?

Check out our Cake Smash Prep Bundle for more tools to help your business!

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The IPS Series: How to get your clients to love their artwork as much as you do

We’re starting a new series on the blog for photographers all about focusing on giving your clients gorgeous heirloom products that they are going to LOVE. 

You’ve seen the endless discussions and debates in online groups of photographers debating the two most popular business models in the industry— an all-inclusive model with the digital images included in the session fee, or a product-focused model where clients can choose their prints and albums through you and it’s often done as in-person sales (IPS).

I’ve seen photographers have tremendous success with both models, and it really is all about which one fires you up, which one you can get behind 100%, and which one makes you feel like you are providing the very best experience possible to your clients.

Personally, I’ve been using the IPS model for 5 years and it works wonderfully in my business.  I love getting together with my clients for their gallery reveal appointment after the session, playing their video slideshow, and watching them fall in love with the images we created together.  I love to see them get so excited as they choose their favorite images and decide where to enjoy those portraits in their homes.  I absolutely adore their reactions when they unwrap their packages and exclaim that it is so much more beautiful in person than they imagined, carefully turning the pages of their new linen album or unveiling their gorgeous new wall art.  

They come back for their next session, and before we’ve taken a single photo they are already talking about the album that they want to create or the new canvas they want to hang in their living room.  They realize that their portraits bring them so much joy where they can see them every day, and they don’t want to have them get lost on a hard drive somewhere where they will never see them or never get around to printing them.  They value the products and they value the service that comes along with it.  That is why I do what I do.

Whichever model you offer to your clients, you have to love what you sell.  If you love digitals, sell them!  If you love tangible keepsakes that you can see and feel, go with that!  That’s what it is all about.  If you love it and you are passionate about it, they will love it, too.

Me?  I looooooooove albums.  Some of my favorite memories growing up were sitting behind the sofa and poring through boxes of photographs and countless photo albums with my sister.  Now as an adult, I love being able to look through my grandparents’ albums that are many decades old, turning the pages that so many hands have turned and enjoying the stories that unfold on the pages.  So when I start talking about albums with my clients, they get excited right along with me and it makes them love these albums for their families, too.

I offer a few different types of albums to our clients.  These are the exact same albums that I print for my own family, so I really do stand behind their quality and beauty.  There is the fine art album, a beautiful linen album with ultra thick pages printed on photo paper with two different finishes on the pages.  The storybook album is a smaller album with press paper pages.  And finally, for a fun little gift I have added on the mini accordion albums that many families love sharing with grandparents.  

When I share our sample albums with the families that I work with, they get so excited to see the quality of these keepsake books and they immediately start imagining their photographs on the pages of the album.  We talk about sitting on the couch with their little ones, turning the pages and telling them their favorite family stories about when they were little.  These are not meant to be tucked away in a drawer somewhere, but to be enjoyed and to become a part of their daily life.

One of my favorite client stories recently was about Baby Blake.  She came to me for a newborn session, and returned for her first birthday session.  Her mom and dad told me that she was obsessed with babies, and that she loved looking at pictures of babies.  They had an album from her newborn session, and every morning she wanted to look through the book at all of the babies on the pages — she didn’t realize that every single photo was of Baby Blake!  This became her favorite book, and it’s going to become a memory that she has forever as she gets older and continues looking through the pages of her baby album.

I could say that I am so lucky that the families I work with value these products just as much as I do, but honestly, I don’t believe it’s luck.  I talk about our keepsakes all the time.  They are displayed prominently on my website, there are a ton of blog posts with product features, and I share these product photos all over my social media pages.  During the initial inquiry stage and during our first phone call, we start talking about which products will be the best fit for their family and get them dreaming about the new gallery wall they are going to create or the album that they will share with their children now and pass down to them 20 years from now.  They are excited to have tangible keepsakes before they even book their session.  I really do believe that when you are passionate about the experience you offer to your clients, you are going to get the type of clients that value the same things you do in their portrait experience. 

Stay tuned for our next post all about choosing products that complement your brand that your clients will love!

Rocking your business & your baby: Planning for maternity leave as a business owner

Hey, mom-preneurs!  

This one is for you.

We’re starting a new series on the blog called “Rocking Your Business & Your Baby.”  As I enter into motherhood with the arrival of our baby boy this spring, I am excited to connect with so many other mamas out there who have learned (and are still learning!) how to balance business & babies.

I’ve been a business owner for SIX YEARS.  Think about that for a second — my very first newborn clients are going to be first graders in the fall.  Wow.

For 6 years, this business has been my baby.  It’s held my hopes and dreams, it’s connected me with so many amazing people, it’s been the big thing that I work hard on every single day.  I’ve truly loved watching it grow and evolve over time, and seeing how I have grown and changed as a business owner in that same time, too. 

And now I’m adding on a new role, the most important role of them all: MOM.
 

I know that things are going to change for me as a business owner with the arrival of our baby boy.  This little business of mine won’t be my only "baby" anymore.  Working from home will hold a whole new meaning, and my time is going to look a lot different moving forward.  I’m excited to connect with other business owners who are rocking their businesses while rocking their babies, and to share some insights with all of you as I learn as I go!

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Today we’re going to talk all about preparing for maternity leave as a business owner.  If you’re waiting on your little one to arrive — CONGRATULATIONS!  You must be so excited as you count down the months and the weeks until the day you finally get to meet your sweet little baby.  But if you’re anything like me, you might also be a little bit nervous wondering,
How in the world am I going to get everything done? 
How will I continue running a business with a baby at home? 
What will happen if I just drop off the face of the earth for a few months when the baby arrives? 
Can I even afford to take maternity leave?

I have had all of the same thoughts, worries, and concerns over these past 9+ months, so I’m sharing a little insight into a few things that helped me prepare for maternity leave with the idea that hopefully they will help you as you embark on this new adventure, too!

It’s never too early to prepare.
 

I hired a virtual assistant long before we even decided to have a baby.  Kristina started working with me a full 16 months before my due date.  I knew back then that there were so many things in my business that I could outsource to free up my time and attention that would be better spent focusing on other areas, and I found the perfect assistant to do that for me.  

We spent more than a year establishing a solid workflow where she completely took over some of the behind-the-scenes tasks that allowed me to focus on growing my business in other areas.  For example, because she took over social media and blog prep, I could streamline my marketing to bring in even more clients, and my sales to bring in even more revenue. 

Which leads me to number two…

Save, save, save. 
 

Save up as much extra income as you can before you go on maternity leave to cover your expenses so that you can enjoy some downtime at home getting to know your new baby.  You’re going to want to take time off to rest, bond, and find your groove at home as a family of 3 (or 4, or 5!).  Having the financial freedom to do that will give you one less thing to worry about.

As soon as we got pregnant, I started saving every penny because I knew that I wanted to take a few months off once our little one arrived, but we would still have bills to pay.  Actually, you’re likely going to have even MORE bills to pay than you do now because of hospital bills, baby items, formula, diapers, and all of the other expenses that come along with bringing a little 8-pound human home with you.  So plan to grow that business well before your due date so that you have enough saved up to cover at least 2-3 months of expenses during your maternity leave.

Automate your business as much as possible.
 

Preparing for my maternity leave felt a lot like what it was like to prepare to take a sick day when I was a teacher, times about 1,000!!!  I wanted my business to continue running, so I scheduled blog posts, social media posts, and newsletters that would go out automatically during the weeks I planned to take off.

This way, I can be out for a walk with my baby and a new blog post goes live.  I might be struggling through a sleepless two-day stretch, but my social media posts are still fresh and my followers see that we’re still an active business with a lot going on.  We could be visiting with the grandparents, and  a newsletter will go out advertising our summer sunset sessions.  

As a business owner, you are always marketing and reaching potential clients and past clients.  It's important to stay fresh in their minds so that they remember, "Hey, I really want to work with you!"  Automating some tasks to keep your business running even while you're taking a break will help to do that for you.

Your business can run itself if you prepare ahead of time.  IT’S A LOT OF WORK, but it’s worth it not to have to worry about a thing when all you really want to do is stay at home and marvel at how perfect your baby is. 

Block off time on your calendar, and stick to it.
 

I stopped traveling for sessions 1 month before my due date.  Since I drive back and forth between two states for sessions, I didn’t want to worry about going into labor while crossing the Berkshire Mountains, so early on in my maternity leave I planned which weekends would be my last ones in Massachusetts, and I made those dates known to all of my clients, stacking them full of sessions to save time and maximize profitability.

I also planned to stop working around week 37, so I wrapped up all of my client work by then.  All orders from sessions were completed, albums were designed, print orders were placed with my labs, and everything that I could package and deliver was sent out so that I wouldn’t have to worry about anything being left unfinished in case the baby arrived early.

I knew that I could still do behind the scenes work after week 37 (blogging, social media, newsletters), but it was important to me that all client work and obligations be done to have one less thing to worry about.

Plus, you’re going to want to take it easy before the baby gets here!  I was in full-on nesting mode and I spent months looking forward to having a few weeks “off” to clean, organize the nursery, prepare food for after the baby arrived, and spend some extra time with just my husband.  We fit in a few extra “date days” and other little things that we wanted to do that would be so much easier without a baby in tow, so take your time to relax and enjoy that end stage of your pregnancy without working up until the end!

Have a plan in place in case your baby arrives early.

It happens.  Babies arrive whenever they are ready, and if you’re counting on your little one not making an appearance until you’ve accomplished x, y, and z…. well, you might find yourself in a sticky situation!  So be prepared to be flexible and just go with the flow.  

If you allow yourself enough time to wrap things up before your due date, hopefully you won’t have to deal with too much of a surprise and be scrambling to get things done.  But let those clients towards the end of your workload know that you’re approaching your due date and that it’s possible you might need to reschedule their appointment if the  baby arrives early, or mail their order to them if you can’t deliver it in person, or that you might wind up meeting through video chat or FaceTime if you can’t be there in person for an appointment. 

This actually wound up being a blessing in disguise since our little one arrived THREE WEEKS EARLY, as soon as I had finished up many of those loose ends with my business tasks!   I had to reschedule one gallery reveal appointment, and one cake smash session.  Thankfully those clients were incredibly understanding and knew that my due date was right around the corner back when we booked, so it was no issue marking a new date on the calendar for them.  I was even receiving messages from them "just checking in" while I was at the hospital with our baby, and I thought it was the sweetest thing that we were on their mind!

Give them enough heads up, and thank them for their flexibility.  They’ve been in your shoes before, and they will definitely understand and be accommodating!

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The most important thing is don't stress too much about stepping away from your business to focus on your family for a bit.  Your business will be there when you're ready for it, and you're going to find a whole new balance to your life as you adjust to being a mom AND being an entrepreneur.  

Do you have other topics you'd like to see in our "Rocking Your Business & Your Baby" series?  Let me know by sending an email to education@nicolestarrphotography.com.  I'd love to hear from you!

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Creating an Email Newsletter List: A Game-Changer for Your Business

Hey, photographers!
 

You’ve been working so hard on building up your business, connecting with new families, and improving your art AND your business sense.  You have all of these big plans for sessions this spring and summer, and you’re eager to put them into place and get started.

All you need to do is some marketing. 

BAM!  It sounds so easy, right?  But you and I know that it’s never as simple as it sounds, and that some of the platforms that we rely on for marketing our businesses actually seem to penalize small business owners, making it nearly impossible for us to connect with potential ideal clients.  

We see it all the time in Facebook groups for business owners — people complain that no one is seeing our social media posts anymore, the algorithms don’t work in our favor, and everything is constantly changing so that people barely even notice business pages in their newsfeed these days.  

Social media has become a “pay to play” game, and honestly, sometimes when you pay to sponsor a post it doesn’t even get you the results you want!  You can have thousands of followers, and if you’re lucky your post will get seen by a few dozen or a few hundred people.  

There has got to be a better way.  And there is.

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Let’s talk about reaching your clients.  

You don’t own your likes and followers on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.  If those platforms disappeared tomorrow, what would happen to your business?  Would you have a way to connect with your audience?  Or would you be starting from scratch again, building it up from nothing?

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of building an email list for your business.  If you’re not already collecting email addresses, this is something that you really should put on your to do list this week and start prioritizing.  Once you have a client’s (or potential client’s) email address, you are guaranteed to always have a way to reach them.  Most people check their inbox every single day, and that is the perfect way to stay fresh in their minds with an occasional message or newsletter letting them know what’s new in your business.

Now, I don't recommend overwhelming them with multiple messages a week, but sending one or two a month is a good way to stay fresh in their minds and let them know what's new, what's coming up, and what they don't want to miss out on.

I use Mailchimp to organize my clients into different email lists.  You can sort them and create new groups by location, type of client, when the babies’ birthdays are — the possibilities are endless depending on how you would like to target your marketing efforts!  Then you’re able to create beautiful, professional newsletters that will be delivered straight to their inbox, reminding them of everything that’s going on in your business and encouraging them to book another session with you.

I’ll be honest with you — sometimes even those emails get filtered into the Spam folder, or they simply get clicked on and deleted.  It happens.  But the bigger you build your list, the greater the chance of reaching more of your potential clients. 

Mailchimp even gives you feedback on each campaign that you send out telling you how many people opened your email, who they were, and what they clicked on.  This is invaluable in helping to guide you with targeted suggestions to keep improving every newsletter so that it is more user-friendly and more engaging. 

So, what are you waiting for?  This service is free (and I am not getting paid to promote it — I just love the platform!), and it’s perfect for a business owner like you.  Ramp up those marketing efforts this spring and create an email list that will help you to reach even more potential clients -- keep doing your thing on social media, too, but add in this one extra platform and you'll see a big difference in no time!

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Did you miss this recent blog post for photographers?
Learn all about reaching your ideal clients through VIP Client Groups on Facebook!

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Cake Smash Series: 70+ Theme Ideas for your Next Cake Smash Session

Your baby's first birthday is coming up, and it's time to party!  What better way to celebrate than with a portrait session?  Personally, cake smashes are my FAVORITE! 

We've come up with a list of the most popular (and also some of the most unique!) ideas for first birthday sessions and cake smashes.  We hope that you'll be inspired to plan a one-of-a-kind cake smash for your baby's first birthday!

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Classic themes:

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Construction/Trucks
Baseball
Nautical
Tea party
Circus
Flowers
Airplanes
Dr. Seuss
Rubber Duckies
Music/Band/Instruments
Sock Monkeys
Superheroes
Rainbow colors
Bohemian
Circus
Camping
Shabby Chic
Ballet

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Animals:

Unicorns
Teddy bears
Farm animals
Woodland animals
Ocean animals
Zoo animals
Bumble bees
Monkeys
Owls
Whales
Butterflies

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Seasonal:

Winter wonderland
Valentine’s
At the beach
Surf’s up
Cherry blossoms
Spring garden
Falling leaves
Halloween
Christmas
New Years Eve
Snowmen

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Classic Children’s Books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Guess How Much I Love You
Corduroy
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Oh the Places You’ll Go
The Little Prince
Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter books
Where the Wild Things Are
Make Way for Ducklings
Blueberries for Sal
Goodnight Moon
Harry Potter
Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan
Alice in Wonderland
 

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Food alternatives:

Spaghetti & meatballs
Watermelon
Pumpkin pie
Pancakes
Seasonal fruit (strawberries, blueberries)
Cheerios
Pineapple
Apples/apple pie for fall
Tacos
Waffles
Donuts
Ice cream
Pie
Cookies & milk

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You've got the perfect theme -- now what do you decorate with?  I provide all of the decor for my cake smash sessions at the studio.  Here are some of my favorite items I like to keep on hand to make our sessions a little more whimsical, creative, and fun!

Decor ideas:

Paper bunting in many shapes
Tulle balls
Tissue paper puffs
Twinkle lights
Patio lights
Lanterns
Cotton clouds
Hanging flowers
Ribbon streamers
Flower garlands
Eucalyptus garlands
Fake flowers to hang from the ceiling
Mason jars
Beaded curtains
 

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Don't forget to check out the other posts in our Cake Smash Series!

Why I Decided to Invest in My Baby Photography Business

Exactly three years ago I opened an email from a photographer that I absolutely admired, and this is what I read that made my heart skip a beat:

“What would you do if you weren't afraid?  What would you do if money didn’t matter?  What feels so effortless, time slips by unnoticed? 

When does peace and joy and inspiration rush through you?  That is what you have to give the world.  That is what you were born to do.”

I wanted to be unafraid and inspired.  I wanted to take a risk and let my creativity shine.  I wanted to do what I was born to do.  Just in those couple of sentences, she got me.

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The first time I ever decided to truly invest in my photography business was when I saw this photographer whose work I had been following for years was hosting a two-day workshop at her studio.  Even before reading the description and the testimonials from other workshop attendees, I just knew that I had to be there.  Her style was gorgeous, her business was crazy successful, she had such an open and giving personality, and I knew that I needed to learn from her.  I knew that this opportunity would open so many doors for me. 

This workshop was the Boutique Baby Workshop with Heidi Hope Photography.  It was a huge investment for me.  Up until that time, I’m not sure that I truly knew what I needed to do to set my business up for success.  Although I had big dreams, I had no clear plan to reach them. 

When I signed up for her workshop (you can bet I purchased my seat the same day I read that initial email!), I had to wait ten more months for the workshop date to arrive.  Besides my wedding, I don’t remember ever counting down to an event with such excitement and anticipation!  I decided to take those ten months and truly dedicate myself to set my business up for success by making as many changes as I could before then in preparation for all that I knew I would learn and take away from the workshop.

That summer I made some changes to the types of sessions I offered, and I made some pretty big changes to my product line and the way that I presented my clients with their images (Helloooooo, IPS!).  I started refining my style and taking on more of certain types of sessions and less of others.  I loved the changes that I was seeing with happier clients, more artwork in their homes, and of course a greater profit from each session.  I couldn't believe that people were paying me to do this thing that I loved so much!  

Those ten months flew by, and before I knew it I found myself sitting in Heidi’s studio surrounded by other photographers.  This was my very first time meeting other photographers, learning about their businesses, and sharing our art together.  Can you believe it?  Strangely, up until that time I had found photography to be a very lonely hobby.  I was a first grade teacher, and I knew exactly ZERO photographers — it’s hard to grow as a photographer and business owner when you have ZERO people in the field to turn to for advice, to share ideas with, and to look up to!  Only a few years later and I can’t even begin to count the number of close friends I have made through this industry, and the number of professional connections and relationships that have blossomed through owning my own business.  

But back to the workshop -- I loved it.  I loved every single second of it.  I went to the workshop with a brand new notebook, just like a kid on the first day of school.  And I filled every. single. page.  Session tips, decor, wardrobe advice, marketing, website development, album design, studio layout, product offerings, welcome magazines, sales techniques, set design, technical camera settings, newborn posing, client interaction…  This was all a whole new world for me!  Up until then, I was just a girl with a camera trying to figure it out on my own.  There was no Rising Tide Society yet.  There were no Tuesdays Together groups.  I didn’t even have photographer friends to tell me that all sorts of groups and communities existed on Facebook for photographers to share, ask questions, and get together.  This workshop opened my eyes, not only to all of these amazing new changes that I was ready to introduce in my business, but to this great big community of other creatives.  I finally found my tribe!

Heidi & Shaun made me feel like anything was possible, and that if I could dream it, I could do it.  After two days at their studio, I came home with a notebook full of ideas and a head full of dreams.  I remember going on and on about all of these big ideas and these amazing revelations that I had experienced at the workshop.  My husband (then fiancé) was an absolute saint and he had my back through all of this.  When I came home and told him that I wanted to shake things up, he didn't even blink.  He told me that he knew this would happen: he knew that I would come home and be inspired to make huge changes to my business and to our lives, and that there was absolutely no reason to wait any longer to do this!  

It was he who suggested the very first change: Let’s turn our living room into a photography studio.  We rented a tiny Boston apartment, so this was a pretty big deal.  I remember tossing the idea around all weekend — “Wait, we couldn’t actually do that… could we??”  But we decided that yes, let’s do it!  After all, what did we have to lose?

That workshop inspired me to open my very first studio in my home.  I finally had a place to welcome my clients that was clean & professional, and I no longer had to fill my car with backdrop stands, seamless paper, my newborn beanbag, and props every time I wanted to take on another session.  Oh my goodness, the amount of time it saved me was tremendous!  Plus it gave me the ability to start being wildly creative with my sets, knowing that I could set them up in advance and not have to worry about transporting them to my clients’ homes.  My first studio cake smash happened that winter, and soon after that my first hand-drawn backdrop was used for a session.  I was in heaven!

Another huge change came that weekend.  A huge, life-altering change and the biggest risk I have ever taken professionally.  Before attending the workshop, I was a first grade teacher with big dreams of doing something with her little photography business.  Heidi gave me the encouragement and business tools that I needed to make the leap and give my business a chance.  When the weekend was over, I went into work and put in my notice that I would be leaving at the end of the year.  I took a one-year leave of absence from work, and while technically a job would be waiting for me at the end of that year, I knew and my husband kept reminding me that I would need much more than one year to give this dream a true chance at survival. 

And just like that, I left my teaching job to take the leap and become a full-time business owner and photographer!

Because of a two-day photography workshop, my whole life changed.  I know that sounds so cheesy, but it is so true!  I am now almost two years into being a full-time business owner (and five years into running my own photography business!), and I can’t even believe the doors that have been opened because of this opportunity.  I wouldn’t change this path I’m on for the world. 

I never imagined that I would get to make my own schedule, cuddle babies for a living, spend my mornings creating backdrops & editing photos.  I never imagined that I would teach DSLR workshops, organize a Facebook group for cake smash photographers, and take on commercial shoots.  I never imagined that I would have such a gorgeous website (a huge thanks for my designer, Refinery Original!) and that I would have a consistent and beautiful brand that I love so much today.  I never imagined that I would have so many friends in the industry that I used to admire from afar, and that I would now be able to turn to for ideas & advice, vacations & coffee dates.  

That workshop taught me that investing in your business is always a good business plan.  Having a solid foundation and education is always going to help you grow, dream bigger, and achieve more.  After that first experience I began taking more workshops, both online and in-person.  I joined and became an active participant in more photography forums, and I started meeting other peers in the industry when the Rising Tide Society was formed that summer.  Later that year I attended the Creative @ Heart Conference in Charleston, SC, and I’ll never forget the feeling of walking into that room and feeling my heart fill with joy because I felt like I had finally found “my people”.  This was my place, this was my tribe, this was what I was meant to do.

If you’ve been thinking about making some changes to your business or even to your life — today’s the day!  Step out of your comfort zone, take a risk, and do what you were born to do.  Set some big goals for yourself, and watch as you absolutely crush them this year, achieving far more than you ever thought possible.  If you're feeling alone and lost like I was, connect with a friend, find a business buddy, or reach out to a mentor that you admire!  You'll grow so much more when you're together than when you're apart.

The best thing you can possibly do for yourself is to invest in your business.  Trust me, I've never learned anything so well as I've learned that lesson.  Tell yourself that you are serious about this dream, and you are serious about making big things happen.  Find a mentor that inspires you to do better & dream bigger, and then work together with that person to create a plan that will keep you moving forward every single day.  

Be inspired.  Be motivated.  Be amazing.
 

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5 Tips to Refresh Your Photography Business This Spring

Hey there, photographer friend!  

Wow, the Open Letters to a Newbie Photographer were a huge hit!  (Did you read them?  Catch Part 1 and Part 2 here!)  

After publishing those two posts, I received countless messages, emails, and even a few phone calls from friends about how much they connected with what was written there.  It was truly amazing to hear your feedback, and I find it so valuable to know that you’re finding inspiration here in between my keystrokes on the computer.  So thank you!

A few people asked me to continue writing to the newbie photographers, and I have a few ideas in mind to make this a regular series on the blog.  But today’s post is for EVERYONE, not just the newbies.

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So…  It’s the end of February, and you have officially made it to the end of the notorious “slow season” for baby photographers.  Your studio may have been a little quieter than usual, but if you followed the 12 Tips to Grow Your Baby Photography Business in the Slow Season, then you still enjoyed a productive couple of months! 

Now that spring is coming, it’s time to refresh your business.  Keep reading for a few simple ideas to get your baby photography business ready for spring!

1.  Plan ahead for Mother’s Day sessions.  

Did you know that Mother’s Day is only 11 weeks away?  In order to run an effective marketing campaign for your Mother’s Day sessions, I recommend starting to plan at least 8 weeks in advance.  This ensures you will have enough time to put all of your sign-up and ordering systems in place, gather inspiration for your set design, shop for your set, style and photograph your model sessions, plan your promotional materials, and prepare your clients. 

Now is the time to get started, so plan ahead this year so you’re not scrambling to pull something together on May 1.  

2.  Create a new backdrop with a hint of spring, just for fun.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a huge fan of crafting.  I make more trips to A.C. Moore and Hobby Lobby than I do to the gas station.  I have countless boxes, shelves, and bags filled with cardstock, tissue paper, fishing wire, glitter, fake flowers — you name it!  

Spring is the perfect time to spend a day creating a beautiful new backdrop with some soft spring colors.  I love flowers, and they are one of the most requested backdrop items in my sessions.  Check out this helpful tutorial to make your own paper flower backdrop, or grab a bunch of faux greenery and blooms at the store this week and play around in the studio to see what you come up with.

3.  Bring some flowers into the studio.

Nothing says “Oh hello, spring!  Nice of you to finally make an appearance!” like a bouquet of fresh flowers decorating your studio.  Even better, you can incorporate these fresh blooms into your portraits! 

I’ve been known to bring real (or fake) flowers into the studio for our portrait sessions, and my husband has even caught me picking apart a bouquet he gave me to find the perfect stem to adorn some product photos.  Totally worth it!

4.  Do some spring cleaning with a destash!

Every spring I always have this strong desire to open the windows, let in some fresh air & sunshine, and declutter!  You’ve been cooped up in your studio all winter, looking at the same four walls and the same collection of props.  It gets boring, doesn’t it?  Now is the perfect time to do a destash to get rid of the props you no longer use.

Instead of just bringing them all to your nearest thrift store, you can sell your props to other local photographers and make some money back on your investment to purchase new props for the studio.  Photograph all of your props for sale.  Skip the cell phone shots and take a few extra minutes to pull out your DSLR.  Style the props, bring those photos into Photoshop for a little brightening, and then write their prices right there on the image.  

Post an album of your props in a local photography group, on your business page if you have other photographers following you, or start a separate destash group if you’ll be selling a lot of items. 

5.  Fill up your calendar with birthday babies!

Follow up with your newborn clients from last spring and talk to them about booking their baby’s birthday session with you.  Offer a returning client discount or include a special gift for them when they return to you for the birthday session.  Then, have fun styling new sets and capturing some very sweet birthday memories for these babies that you’ve held and snuggled since their very first days in the world.  

Need some inspiration for your cake smash sessions?  Join our Cake Smash Inspiration for Baby Photographers group on Facebook!

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A few more ideas to get your business ready for spring:

-Refresh your client gifts & client experience.

-Update the images on your studio walls and website.

-Step away from the computer for a coffee date with a business owner friend.

-Head outside to take some new head shots for your website & social media.

-Take a day off and just enjoy the changing weather and signs of spring where you live!

An Open Letter to a Newbie Photographer: Part 1

Hi, there.  

I see you over there, a newbie photographer who is just getting started.  A girl with a camera and a dream, so excited to get subjects in front of her camera that she’s giving away her time for free.  You’re looking around and seeing so many beautiful posts in your newsfeed, wishing your own images looked like the ones from the photographers that you admire so much.  

You’re eager to do everything you can to become an amazing photographer, so you shoot 1,256 images at every session.  You spend hours every night culling & editing while trying to learn Lightroom and Photoshop, agonizing over which of these fourteen similar images is the very best.  You tilt your camera at just the right angle to make your photos look “artsy” and more creative.  Your camera becomes a permanent extension of your body, and you almost never leave home without it.  You’re in all of the photography groups on Facebook, and whenever someone mentions a prop vendor, a camera bag that you absolutely must have, or a DIY project, you jump right on it.  You are certain that this is the thing will change your life and your business. 

I see you over there, saying yes to everyone and everything that comes your way.  Yes, I’ll do a cake smash for your baby.  Yes, we can do your family’s session at noon on Sunday.  Yes, I’ll shoot your wedding for free because the exposure would be great.  Yes, I would love to take photos of your five dogs in your red living room with one tiny window.  Yes, I’ll give you an extra sneak peek and all of the RAW files and spend hours editing that hair elastic off of your daughter’s wrist in every.single.photo because I forgot to tell her to remove it before the shoot.  Yes, yes, yes.

You’re up at all hours of the night, finishing another gallery and answering another email.  You’re exhausted.  You’re wondering why your images are so grainy and what camera settings you’re supposed to use.  You can’t figure out why the newborns won’t ever sleep for you during their sessions.  But you’re still so excited to call yourself a photographer, so excited to capture these moments for families that will value your artwork.  You are chasing this dream, and you’re loving every minute of it.

I want to tell you something…
YOU ARE DOING JUST FINE.  KEEP AT IT.  CHASE YOUR DREAM.  DON’T GIVE UP.

When I started my business, there was so much I didn’t know.  So much.  Actually, I wasn’t even trying to start a business, but somewhere along the way that happened.  Like every photographer, I have learned so many lessons during my first years in business.  Here are a few, and I hope that they will help you!

Don’t overshoot.  

You don’t need 1,000 images from every session, and your clients don’t need a final gallery of 100 images.  They’ll probably only display 5-10 images in their home, so a gallery of 20-25 is more than enough without overwhelming them.  Get the shot, and then move on to get a new angle, new pose, new location, new outfit.

Don’t overbuy.

That new wrap, basket, bucket, bag isn’t going to make you a better photographer.  Set a budget for your props, and stick to it.  Only purchase items that fit your style, and remember that if it looks cheap, then your photography will look cheap.  To become a high-end photographer, your images and everything in them need to look high-end.  Invest in a few quality pieces and use those in every session. 

Learn posing & safety.

This is especially important for newborn sessions.  Please educate yourself before you start working with newborns.  Most of the images you see online are composites of two or more images woven together in Photoshop to create a final image.  Babies are fragile little beings, and it’s important to know what their bodies can and cannot do.  They are your most precious little clients, so you never want to hang them in mid-air, place too much pressure on their joints, put them in a glass bowl, or place them in any precarious situation where they can tip over and hurt themselves.  Safety first.  

Be fearless with light.

For years I was worried that studio lighting would be too hard to learn, too expensive to invest in, and that it wasn’t the “right” thing to do because other photographers that I loved so much advertised themselves as “natural light photographers."  But you know what?  Making the leap to studio lighting was the best thing I ever did for my photography.  My images are more consistent than ever before, and I am confident to shoot in any situation and environment.  

Learn your gear.

Learn to shoot in Manual.  Learn to shoot and edit RAW images.  Learn to shoot in challenging lighting situations.  Once you can figure it out in camera, you’re going to spend a lot less time editing your images.  You’re also going to be a lot less frustrated when your images start turning out exactly the way you imagined them to be.

Invest in quality gear.

Figure out what you need to create truly beautiful images, and save up for the very best that you can afford — even if it takes a few months to save up enough money, it’s worth it.  Making the switch to a full-frame camera will be a game-changer for your portraits, but only if you know how to shoot in manual (see above: Learn your gear).  Rather than getting cheap lighting off of Amazon, save up for an Alien Bee or an Einstein. You’ll love it the very first time you use it, and it will last you for years with an amazing customer service team that is ready to help, fix, and replace it should anything go wrong.  This goes for your props, too.

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Whew!  Thanks for reading, but that’s just the beginning!  Once I started writing, it just kept flowing and this is only the first half.  Be sure to check out Part 2 on the blog, too!  

Oh, and by the way… remember that camera tilt I mentioned in the beginning of this letter?  Drop it.  It’s not artsy, and your client shouldn’t have to tilt their head at an uncomfortable angle to get a better look at their family’s portrait.  We've all been there, and we've all tilted the camera.  Learn from it, and keep your horizons straight.  Your images will look much more timeless!

With love (and a nice little kick in the pants if that’s what you needed in your business today!),

Nicole Starr

P.S.  Are you on our mailing list for photographers?  Join today, and receive occasional emails straight to your inbox packed with tips & inspiration for building your baby photography business!

12 Tips to Grow Your Baby Photography Business in the "Slow Season"

You're reading this post, which means you're probably a lot like me, aren't you?  You're a small business owner and you started the new year with lots of energy and goals, big dreams and plans.  You want to make EVERYTHING happen and you want to grow your baby photography business this year.  But you don't know where to start.  So, let me help you!  

Here I've compiled a list of 12 ideas that you can put into action during the slow season to set your baby photography business up for growth in the new year.  I hope you find these helpful, and that you're able to implement a few of them right away!

• Make a list of goals & dreams that you want to accomplish in the new year, and then pull out a calendar and start marking down how you’re going to make that happen! Stick to you plans, make deadlines, and find a friend to hold you accountable.
  
  

• Outsource. Free up time to do what you love (and generate more income) by outsourcing tasks that can easily be done by someone else. As business owners, we know that there are so many daily tasks that are absolute time-sucks. Editing, posting on social media, prepping your images for the blog, answering emails, designing albums, creating marketing materials, bookkeeping... Just a little help will go a long way! Think about the areas that you love the MOST about your business, and carve out more time to spend on those tasks than on the tedious tasks that someone else would happily do for you! I’ve been working with a virtual assistant for a few years now, and it’s such a time saver! I don’t know what I would do without her!
  
  

• Have you been dreaming of a welcome guide for new parents? This is the perfect time to create one! Gather your favorite images from the past year, and pull everything together to create the perfect packet for your clients.

• Update your website! It only takes an hour or two to go through your website, remove any images that no longer reflect your style, and upload your very best recent images. This is the first thing that your clients see, so make sure it reflects YOU and YOUR BRAND.
  
  

• Use templates to save time! Spend a few days designing your contracts, invoices, and questionnaires in a client management software like 17hats. Then when it’s time to send one out to a new client, all it takes is a few quick clicks of your mouse and you’re done!
  
  

• Use this time to get out of the studio and connect with local businesses! Have you been talking about collaborating with an OB/GYN office for months? Or about going into that baby boutique downtown? This is the perfect time to get in there, meet the owners, and chat about how you can help each other.
  
  

• Write those canned responses for your emails that we’ve been talking about! I can’t say enough amazing things about canned responses. (Check out a tutorial here!) In the past year, this has saved me COUNTLESS HOURS. Keeping on top of my emails is no longer an issue when it only takes 2 minutes or less to reply to a client or new inquiry that is sending the same questions that you always receive. To get started, make a list of all of the types of emails you send out regularly, and then create your templates in Gmail so that you can add them to your email responses easily in minutes!
  
  

• Rebrand! If your online presence no longer reflects you and is no longer attracting your ideal client, it’s time to hit the refresh button. The slow season is the perfect time to find a designer whose style you adore and who meshes well with your personality. Find someone who you can talk with easily, and who really listens as you tell them your goals, likes, dislikes, and inspiration for your new website. Considering a switch to a new website platform? This is a great time to research your options and find a designer who can set that up for you!
  
  

• Create a stash of blog posts so that you always have something ready to publish! This is a great time to go through last year’s sessions and create posts about your favorite images — favorite newborn sessions, favorite daddy & me images, favorite cake smashes, favorite sibling shots, Fresh 48 sessions from a certain hospital, etc. Not only will this keep your content fresh on your website and help your SEO, but it gives your clients a chance to see themselves in new posts on your page while new clients can see a nice portfolio of your work all in one place!
  
  

• Create a blogging calendar! Maybe you’re really good about blogging and you sit down each morning and publish a post before breakfast. Good for you, I admire that dedication! I’m so not like that, though. Designate a certain day of the week (Thursday mornings) or a few days each month (every other Wednesday) to crank out a collection of blog posts that you can schedule ahead of time. If blogging is the task that you always put off, make sure you schedule your blogging day early in the week and during the morning so that nothing else can interfere with this getting pushed to the bottom of your to do list. Make it a priority, and it will get done!
  
  

• While you’re at it, create a marketing calendar, too! Every year I see posts from photographers in our online groups that say something like, “Christmas is in two weeks. What should I offer for holiday sessions?” This year, be prepared! Pull out your calendar NOW and mark off when you would like to hold those sessions this year (Easter, Mother's Day, Back to School, Halloween, Christmas). Then work backwards and figure out how many weeks you’ll need to properly market your sessions to your clients.
  
  

• Most important of all… REST. Take some time for yourself to just relax. Read a good book, plan a weekend away, go out for brunch with your girlfriends, enjoy a hot chocolate in the afternoon, take a walk, binge watch old Gilmore Girls episodes, get a manicure, catch up on sleep. You work so hard in the “busy season”, and you need some downtime to recharge and grow your business in the new year rested and inspired. Make sure you plan some time when you turn off the notifications on your phone, put up an away message on your email, and enjoy some time that has absolutely nothing to do with your business. You need this. You deserve this. You’ve earned this.

Do you have some more ideas to add?  Leave them in the comments below to share with our online community!

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